I chose one of these tan seats, as they were the most private and offered some views of the tarmac. Terms and Conditions Apply. In Business Class not yet that dramatic but in Eco and Prem Eco it is clearly visible. In addition to the main kitchen, there are also several smaller coffee and drink out-stations scattered throughout the lounge, so those that are far from the main bar can easily refill without venturing too far from their seats or couches. For the seven-hour KEF-ORD flight, I was in seat 1F, also a bulkhead row. Airline Livery of the Week Just last year, we found this fantastic deal on roundtrip Saga Premium fares from a number of U.S. gateways to all over Europe! It takes all kinds of plug-ins to help you stay charged inflight. Seat back recline might be limited. Amenities & Entertainment Flying Icelandair Saga, Icelandair Business Class Food and Drink Service. Just a few minutes later, we were offered a top-off, too. For your next Icelandair flight, use this seating chart to get the most comfortable seats, legroom, and recline on . All Rights Reserved, Dash-Ten Out of Ten: Uniteds 787-10 Inaugural From SFO to Newark. Service was also outstanding throughout the flight. Seat 4 C is a standard Business Class seat. The staggered, individual seats around the hearth fireplace were some of the best in the house. Your email address will not be published. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. The seatback screens pulled out a little bit to improve viewing angles, which was handy especially when the seat in front of me reclined. Love it. Seat back recline is limited due to the other Exit Row behind, however, there is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. Economy class seats on domestic routes usually have a seat pitch . Seat 23 A is a standard Economy Class seat. The aircraft is configured with 16 Saga Class seats and 144 Economy Class seats. Just what I was looking for before booking our flight to Helsinki, From what you are telling us, the extra money is well worth it! Pitch 31-32". Personal space might also be limited if the seat in front is reclined. Loyal readers will recall our 2017 review of Saga Premium (which, at the the time, was called Saga Class) on Icelandairs venerable 757-200s. Seat 8 E is a standard Economy Class seat. Mvatn is a beautiful lake in the north of Iceland with stunning surrounding landscape formed by the volcanic activity of the area. They were extremely tasty, so I asked for more, which they happily obliged. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Air New Zealand Seat 21 F is a standard Economy Class seat. This is Icelandair's first new route in more than two years, and I. I was delayed in getting there due to some extra security screening, but was still able to board with the other Premium passengers ahead of the rest of the plane. Seat 21 B is a standard Economy Class seat. A stink of kerosene in the cabin or any din are not present. Just as the armchairs I commented on earlier, just a bit more laid back (I noticed several people sleeping on them all around). The tray table is located in the armrest making the armrest immovable and slightly reducing seat width. But its an old design and the aircraft are nearing the end of their service lives. Seat 12 F is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row. The 638-meter (2093ft) Bolafjall mountain soars over the small Westfjords town of Bolungarvk. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft brings with it both environmental and financial benefits to the airline. Inside the leather kits was a hand lotion, socks, a face mask, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste, some hand sanitizer, and stickers to indicate if you want to be woken up for meals or not. Your email address will not be published. Seat 24 E is a standard Economy Class seat. Although internet connectivity was not working (despite the wifi sign being on and my phone detecting the signal), perhaps a one-off glitch? My April flight from Reykjavik to Boston clocked in at roughly five hours on one of Icelandair's newest planes, a Boeing 737 MAX8. I quite enjoyed the licorice-infused smoked salmon appetizer. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Hello, flying from Mpls to Iceland this coming Saturday. The 737 MAX sports ViaSat connectivity the same internet available across JetBlue's fleet. Each passenger also got a bottle of water. Seat 16 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Since then, Icelandair has added several Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets to their fleet (they ordered a total of 16 of the MAX in both the -8 and -9 variants), using them on routes to U.S. destinations on the east coast and upper midwest, along with several European routes. It also gives a midway break at Keflavik and an option to spend a few days in Iceland at no additional cost for the flights. After an awesome couple of days exploring Reykjavik, spending a day at Icelandairs MidAtlantic travel trade show, having lunch with Icelandairs CEO Bogi Nils Bogason and CCO Gunnar Mr Sigurfinnsson, and scoring a helicopter tour from Nordurflug Helicopters (more on those in separate upcoming stories), it was time to say bless bili to Iceland and head home. I flew to Lima onboard Aeromexico's Boeing 737 MAX 8 registration XA-MAY. While these seats may be closer to Premium Economy than a true business class product, they're still wide, plush, and comfortable. I was particularly impressed by the food. There was nobody serving drinks at the lounge it's a serve-yourself setup for drinks. I chose the seats deliberately so I could compare relative legroom across the two aircraft types. Icelandairs Saga Lounge at KEF has been open for a while now, but it was my first visit. Begin your search by selecting one of these departure cities. As with nearly every airline, the best way to start your search for Icelandair Saga Premium flights is with Google Flights. An East Iceland landmark, Hlmatindur peak stands 985 meters (3231ft) tall and sits across the fjord from the town of Eskifjrur. The lounge is just before border control, so be sure to give yourself a little extra time when leaving the lounge to clear border control before heading to your gate just in case there are lines. The Air Canada Business Class on the Boeing 737 Max 8 represents the business class of the future. Seat 3 F is a standard Business Class seat. Seat 22 C is a standard Economy Class seat. There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. Seat 5 D is a standard Economy Class seat located at the bulkhead. The tray table is located in the armrest making the armrest immovable and slightly reducing seat width. Looks like they need more loading bridges at Reykjavik, re passenger comfort in wintry weather : ). . It can be both a very private lounge, or a great place to share a meal or a drink with some travel companions. That arrangement is typical of what you'll find on any Icelandair flight, though some other planes may have more Saga seats total. Icelandair has no lie flat beds, which kind of makes sense when you consider most of its flights are less than 5h long (most of the European ones are even shorter). Head down a narrow hallway that also serves as the boarding area for some Schengen zone flights departing from Iceland. The amazing Saga Lounge at Keflavik airport is another story, though. There is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. There is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. Check here before booking an award fare. We use our own, points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here including this one. Boeing 777-300ER It doesnt pretend to be anything other than exactly what it is, which is both refreshing and very Icelandic. Dreamliner There are two classes on this Icelandair 757-200: Saga Class is Icelandair's Business Class cabin. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, Southwest unveils stunning new Hawaii-themed aircraft, How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value, IHG Rewards Premier Business card review: The annual fee is justified. contest There were no fellow travelers waiting in line when I arrived and I was helped right away. Seat 10 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Thanks for the long review, this really helps to understand the prices. Individual Air Nozzles - Icelandair Saga Premium Business Class Cabin - Boeing 737 - 8 Max Photo: Icelandair It included a ton of great fares, all below $1,000 roundtrip! The flight tracker tool was fairly standard on the Icelandair 737 MAX8. and features additional legroom. Boeing 737 In the previous flight review I forgot to mention that Icelandair has its own signature chocolate too! Full booking flexibility, including changes and cancellations. This place is a win for me. Seat 20 A is a standard Economy Class seat. One of the crew poked fun at me during the flight in the most perfect way, keeping the experience fun and light-hearted. Baula is a 934-meter (3064ft) landmark mountain in West Iceland, close to the craters of Grbrk. Icelandair has reported a loss of $68 million for the first half of 2021 but is keenly looking to the future as it sees the first signs of a turnaround. Seat 8 B is a standard Economy Class seat. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. With a very exciting northern lights-related video in the works at TPG, the team needed to make their way over to Iceland. So is it worth the premium to fly Icelandair Saga over a standard economy ticket? This review wouldnt be complete without a mention to the Saga Lounge. Flying on a JetBlue Inaugural: Cookies, Bingo, and a Water Cannon Salute! Icelandair Planes and Seat Maps. Seat 1 D is a standard Business Class seat located at a bulkhead. On this flight, the course options were the beer-braised short ribs or the citrus arctic char. It is free for Saga Premium passengers and it costs around $10 if you are in economy class. There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. These aircraft combine less fuel use, less noise and an innovative redesign of the aircraft cabin. Nicky tried out. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Saga Class passengers enjoy unlimited mixed drinks, as well as selections from Icelandair's award winning wine-cellar and an ever-evolving menu featuring several meal choices. Seat back recline might be limited. Icelandair totally managed to get the hygge vibe in its Saga Lounge! Seat 15 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 15 A is a standard Economy Class seat. They also have plenty of space and surfaces to leave your belongings, food drinks, books or whatever you need, as well as being fitted with electrical sockets to recharge your devices. Nicky said that his 552 business-class seat didn't represent good value for money Putting Icelandair's 737 Max economy cabin through its paces is Liam Spencer, TPG UK's senior social. Just like many domestic first class flights, there are two-seat sections on either side of the aisle for a grand total of 16 Icelandair business class seats. The beer is made withPacific Northwest hops and European malts. At the same time, Saga Premium it provides a far superior experience that the business class currently being offered by many European airlines on their single aisle aircraft. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Especially abroad, a good Wi-Fi connection can really help make a journey, and the Saga Lounge connection was snappy. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Seat 16 E is a standard Economy Class seat. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Economy Class is the lowest fare class. Passengers flying Saga Class enjoy good working space and Icelandair lounge access in Iceland and other countries. One other underrated and important element of the lounge was its Wi-Fi connection, which was lightning fast. The use of such screens isnt unique to Icelandairs lounge, though theyre on nearly every window in the airport Im guessing its an airport design requirement. Just as onboard the plane, the drink selection and, very particularly, the liquor bar, deserve a special mention! See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Seat 18 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat back recline is limited due to the Exit Row directly behind. Despite being machine-made, these robotic baristas whipped up some lovely drinks. By the way, one of the tiny, tiny differences I noticed in the B757 is that the gap between the right arm rest and the cabin wall seemed to be slightly wider, making it slightly less convenient to leave your stuff there. Strur (translated as the Giant Boulders) is a favorite hiking destination in East Iceland. Ive never seen life vests stored above the seats before. I flew in economy, in seat 25A. Find the right card for you. The private seating areas were incredibly quiet and extra comfy. . Seat 15 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 23 B is a standard Economy Class seat. I opted for a cappuccino, but there were options for espressos, americanos, coffees, macchiatos, and cortados, too. In celebration of the 737 MAX 8, Icelandair in collaboration withBoyne Brewhouse in Ireland, release a 737 Transatlantic IPA. Kirkjufell (Icelandic for Church Mountain) is a 1,519-feet-high (463 m) mountain on the north coast of the Snfellsnes peninsula. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. In celebration of the 737 MAX 8, Icelandair in collaboration withBoyne Brewhouse in Ireland, release a737 Transatlantic IPA. and features additional legroom. Seat 27 D is a standard Economy Class seat. Icelandairs MAX 8 Saga Premium is a solid product relatively spacious, comfortable, with good food and good service. Seat 17 B is a standard Economy Class seat. The tray table is located in the armrest making the armrest immovable and slightly reducing seat width. Personal space might also be limited if the seat in front is reclined. It's a fairly basic amenity kit but on par with what you get even on premium business class flights to and from Europe. Considering the cost, I struggled to find the value for such a short flight. Seat 12 D is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row. The only thing, though, is that there seemed to be a technical glitch and the electronic boarding pass that was generate showed the wrong boarding time! I spent close to three hours there and I wish I had more time. Virgin America, Copyright 2023 AirlineReporter Seat back recline is limited due to the Exit Row directly behind. Weird. This AvGeek was stoked at the opportunity to fly on Vatnajkull, even though it was parked at a corner gate between two diagonal jetways at SEA, making photos pretty much impossible that day. After we took off and got to cruising altitude, the flight attendants came by again with food and drink menus and took another drink order. The Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8 seating chart doesn't influence pleasure. Seat 18 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 28 E is a standard Economy Class seat located in the last row of the aircraft. Boo those window screens ruin the fun for photos. Flying over the Canadian Rockies in TF-FIR. The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. As mentioned earlier, this flight report wouldnt be complete without some comments on the return flight, because, if the first leg of the trip gave me the chance to review the most modern plane in Icelandairs fleet (the B737 MAX), on the return one, to Copenhagen, I had the chance to try out a classic: the Boeing 757-200. However I thought it was worth highlighting it here, since there is some potential for people getting confused or even missing flights as a result of this (which I assume was the product of a temporary technical glitch). The air vents and lights were standard, offering three vents and lights for the two seats. Seat 28 B is a standard Economy Class seat located in the last row of the aircraft. Every row in Icelandair business class had at least one window - while row 2, where I sat, had two windows. Seat 5 C is a standard Economy Class seat located at the bulkhead. Livery of the Week Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 are the latest additions to our fleet. Saga Class is Icelandair's Business Class cabin. The IFE system has a pretty intuitive interface and has films, series, trip information and some other audiovisual content. Pretty consistent with the one previously described, on the Boeing 737 MAX. It was the usual KEF scrum to board there was a quiet boarding call only at the immediate gate area, then we all lined up to board a bus to the hardstand. KPAE An Icelandair business-class ticket holder gets access to the Aer Lingus lounge when departing Heathrow's Terminal 2, but the food and drink offering here was very disappointing with the only hot food option being a soup, which tasted artificial and straight out of a can. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is splendid for its class and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 seatmap is clear. There was no wait when I entered the lounge around 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning a lounge attendant quickly scanned my boarding pass, and the lounge was mine. The lavatory was also as standard as they come. Icelandair operates several types of Boeing aircraft: 757, 767, and 737 MAX 8 and 9. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 2023 Thrifty Traveler. All rights reserved. (We have done that 3 times). It unfolded into a half-tray first, which was nice for my pre-departure drink. That mess, BTW, was all me I managed to stick my hand in the sauce when reaching for the cloth napkin. The meal that did arrive was sadly almost inedible. Seat 24 F is a standard Economy Class seat. To recline the seat, you press the silver button on the inside of the right armrest, just as with a traditional economy plane seat. Photo: Icelandair. These aircraft are larger than the 757s, and their greater seating capacity and extended . Related: The 7 most extreme ways to see the northern lights. Ive recorded 100db up front on older 737s during takeoff, and keep in mind that the db scale is logarithmic, so each incremental change represents quite large sound-pressure differences. The five MAX-8 planes will be kept in Toulouse, France, in order to protect them from wear and tear caused by harsher weather conditions at Keflavk Airport. The seats themselves are the same as we reviewed in 2017. The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. I tried out Saga business class, while Liam Spencer, TPG U.K.'s senior social media manager, headed to the back of the plane and compared my experience to Icelandair's economy class. With a maximum speed of 521mph (839kmph) and a range of up to 4,045miles (6,510km), these modern aircraft also use 37% less fuel per trip than the Boeing 757-200, allowing Icelandair to better compete with low-cost carrier PLAY. Seat 25 D is a standard Economy Class seat. #PaxEx And, of course, there are expansive views of the ramps to keep the AvGeeks happy. First Flight The Icelandair Boeing 737 - 8 Max aircraft is a brand new aircraft. Even without those bells and whistles, the seats themselves are plenty comfortable and much more spacious than what you get back in economy with Icelandair. This plane was delivered to the airline in June 2021 and has the capacity to carry 166 passengers (132 in economy, 18 in AM Plus, and 16 in Clase Premier). Seat back recline might be limited. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Hvtserkur is a 49-feet-high (15 m) basalt rock stack in the sea of Hnafli Bay. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please choose the correct version from the list: Recliner Saga (Rows 1-4), Standard Economy (Rows 5-28). 1999-2023 Icelandair. A choice of a seat selection is offered when booking a ticket. Watch the full video of our experience here: The cabin was very smart and the seat was large and perfectly comfortable for a short flight like this. Its fleet of 26 aircraft consists entirely of Boeing planes configured with three classes: Economy Class, Economy Comfort Class and Saga Class, which is Icelandair's branded name for Business Class. The passenger experience on the B757 did not differ much from that on the B737-9 MAX, so I decided not to do a separate review. Saga Class has 20 seats and extends from rows 1-5. Plus, travelers flying business or first class on Lufthansa, first class on Delta, or business class on United can also access the lounge. Icelandair flies to these 15 North American cities, connecting travelers to 29 cities across Europe. I really loved the Icelandair Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport. I'll admit it was a tad strange and was not what I was expecting, but I didn't hate it, either. Seat 21 E is a standard Economy Class seat. It was a slideshow of flight data and map views that weren't controllable by the user. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). No automatic recline or lie-flat options here. Access is free for Saga Class passengers. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Airbus A380 We boarded a 2-year-old Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8, departing London Heathrow (LHR), flying for two hours and 36 minutes to Keflavik Airport (KEF). All seats are fitted with a seat-back screen with access to a digital entertainment platform and there is also (rather fast) internet connectivity, which is free for Saga Premium passengers (more on IFE further down this piece). Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. The aircraft is configured with 16 Saga Class seats and 144 Economy Class seats. Seat 15 D is a standard Economy Class seat. Candidly, I was a fan of the last trip, so the memory still felt fairly fresh. I had flown the MAX before, but it was really a nice surprise to rediscover how quiet and smooth it its. If youve flown on a 737NG with the Boeing Sky Interior, youve seen these bins. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Great work and I hope to read more of your articles soon! Seat 20 E is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 25 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Future of Flight During training, pilots gained enhanced understanding of the 737 flight control system, including MCAS and related software changes. Image: Icelandair. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) . There were just two reds, two whites, and two sparkling wines, each selection was very detailed with recommended food pairings. There are two classes offered. The pre-flight experience in this case had basically two elements: 1) The Icelandair mobile app, that I used to complete my check in. to save on your next trip. Seat 22 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Based on Boeing 737 NG, the best-selling aircraft of all time, Boeing 737 MAX is a twin-engine airliner that brings together impressive performance parameters and comfortable flying experience. Since then, Icelandair has added several Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets to their fleet (they ordered a total of 16 of the MAX in both the -8 and -9 variants), using them on routes to U.S. destinations on the east coast and upper midwest, along with several European routes. The rest of the service sounds great and that is something Lufthansa is lacking these days. There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. The dedicated gin menu with local options was a noticeable and impressive touch. This seemed expensive given their quality and the fact that lots of other carriers provide them for free these days. Its a lovely place to pass the time before a flight. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. and features additional legroom. Aircraft: Boeing 737-9 MAX. Passengers flying Saga Class enjoy good working space and Icelandair lounge access in Iceland and other countries. Each one comes with its own light and its own plug-ins. When it comes to the overall experience, the B757 is, of course, a much older aircraft model (Icelandair plans to retire them around 2026) and this shows in the noise volume (this is not just my personal impression, Icelandairs own website quantifies it, the B737 MAX is, apparently, 40% quieter!). I love the 757. Business class: Aircraft with seatmap Seat Pitch Seat Width Seat Type Video Type Laptop Power . It was also pretty reliable throughout most of the trip. On the right were a list of snacks. I had a six-foot cable that worked out perfectly. The meal was delicious. They offered great views over Greenland as we flew west. The 'Viking lamb' broth tasted like dishwater with bits and wasn't cheap at 7 (over $9) per serving. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. After that, two flight attendants dedicated to the Premium cabin offered us pre-departure Prosecco more on that later. Seat 26 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 are the latest additions to our fleet. Seat 17 A is a standard Economy Class seat. The engine blades are made of super strong carbon, woven together with a 3D-technique. After spending a few hours in the Saga Lounge, I exited, went through border control, and headed to my gate. Thanks for providing this in depth look into the Saga Premium seats on Icelandair! and features additional legroom. Every Saga seat on this Boeing 737 Max measured in at 20 inches wide, with 40-plus inches of legroom.
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